Shloka 47
The Description of the Greatness of the Gaṅgā
यदग्निहोत्रिणां पुण्यं तत्तु गंगानिवासतः । समातृपितृदाराणां कुलकोटिमनंतकम् ॥ ४८ ॥
yadagnihotriṇāṃ puṇyaṃ tattu gaṃgānivāsataḥ | samātṛpitṛdārāṇāṃ kulakoṭimanaṃtakam || 48 ||
அக்னிஹோத்திரம் செய்வோருக்குரிய புண்ணியம், கங்கைக் கரையில் வாழ்வதாலேயே கிடைக்கும்; தாய்-தந்தை-மனைவியுடன் கூடிய குலத்தின் எண்ணற்ற கோடிகளுக்கும் அது அழியாத பயனாகும்।
Sanatkumara (teaching Narada in the Uttara-Bhaga tirtha-mahatmya context)
Vrata: none
Primary Rasa: adbhuta
Secondary Rasa: bhakti
FAQs
It elevates Gaṅgā-residence as a powerful tirtha-sādhanā, stating that the sanctity of living by the Gaṅgā can bestow merit comparable to Agnihotra and benefit one’s lineage extensively.
By praising Gaṅgā-nivāsa, it points to devotional sacred geography (tirtha-sevā) as an accessible practice—staying near the holy river with reverence becomes a bhakti-supporting way of life that yields spiritual fruit.
Ritual knowledge is implied through Agnihotra (Śrauta/Smārta practice): the verse uses Agnihotra as a benchmark of Vedic ritual merit to communicate the exceptional efficacy of tirtha-mahātmyas.